Starting device for toy road race cars employing suction cup timer



Nov. 19, 1968 I o. P. wooo 3,411,782

STARTING DEVICE FOR TOY ROAD RACE CARS EMPLOYING SUCTION CUP TIMER Filed Feb. 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l /0 FIG. 3. 75 m 4 [1/1] t I M 50 j 72 56 uvvewroz OLE/V P. W000 Nov. 19, 1968 o. P. WOOD 3,411,782

STARTING DEVICE FOR TOY ROAD RACE CARS EMPLOYING SUCTION CUP TIMER Filed Feb. 28. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Freda W 55 l/Vl/EN roe OLEN R W000 EDWARD D; OER/AN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,411,782 STARTING DEVICE FOR TOY ROAD RACE CARS EMPLOYING SUCTION CUP TIMER Olen P. Wood, Rosernead, Califi, assignor to Eldon Industries, Inc., Hawthorne, Califi, a corporation of California Filed Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 530,545 Claims. (Cl. 273-86) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A starting device for toy road race cars employing a suction cup serving as a timer. This suction cup controls the position of a barricade or bar extending across a track for such cars so that in one position of the suction cup timer the track is blocked and in another position it is not. The suction cup timer also controls the operation of a switch used to supply power to the track.

This invention is directed to a starting device particularly adapted to signal and/or control the starting of model road race cars on road race tracks.

The racing of toy, scale model or miniature road race cars on their race courses is well known in the art. Such racing is often collectively referred to as slot car racing because of the longitudinal guide slot extending along the track for the guidance of the toy road race car therealong, by means of a guide shoe upon the race car engaging in the track slots. A considerable amount of equipment is available for such racing to make the races accurate, controllable, definitive and realistic. The race course itself has curves and chicanes as well as over and under passes to provide equality of length of the several slots and provide a diverse set of operating conditions. There are a number of lap counters and finish indicating devices so that the number of laps accomplished by each road race car is accurately recorded, and so that finishes are accurately indicated. Some work has been done with respect to the starting of road race cars. However, starting devices have not been of such nature as to provide accurate starting control to also include the exercise of operators skill at the start of a race.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a starting device for toy road race car sets which permits control of the starting of a race and which requires the exercise of skill in the road racing environment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a starting device which includes a timer. which timer times out to permit the starting of a race, with the actual racing start defined as a function of the onerators control of the sneed control devices for each individual car.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a starting device for a road race car set which incorporates a timer in the form of a suction cup, and is arranged so that as a limited amount of air is permitted to enter beneath the suction cup, with the result that the suction cup finally releases to signal the start of the race.

It is' another object of this invention to provide a suction cup timer incorporated into a road race car starting device, which timer closes an electric switch when it times out, which switch is serially connected in the electric power supply for all cars engaged in the race.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a suction cup timer within a starting device for road race cars,

3,411,782 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 ice which suction cup timer times out to raise a movable gate to permit the passage of cars along the track so that road race cars are physically prevented from progress along the track until the gate is raised.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following portion of this specification, the claims and the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a road race track showing the preferred embodiment of the starting device of this invention in association therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the starting device in the position wherein the timer has timed out and the road race cars are operative;

FIG. 3 is a section taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with parts broken away, showing the timer in the timing position and the electric contacts open;

FIG. 5 is a top plan of another embodiment of the starting device of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 taken through a further embodiment of the starting device of this invention.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a starting device for a road race set. The road race set includes the conventional slotted track for the guidance of toy slot racing cars. The starting device comprises a timer. The timer is connected in such a way to the track that progress of cars along the slots is prevented until the timer times out. In the several embodiments, this inter-connection between the progress of the cars and the timer is electrical and mechanical. The timer itself comprises a suction cup which is manually distended and pressed upon an appropriate surface to begin timing out. The passage of air into the interior of the suction cup is limited, and such passage of air proceeds until the suction cup releases. When it releases it permits starting of the road race cars.

This invention will be understood in greater detail by reference to the following portion of this specification wherein the drawings are described. Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to the preferred embodiment of the starting device of this invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, the starting device is generally indicated at 10. As is shown in FIG. 1, the starting device 10 is used in association with toy road race track. The road race track is conventionally made up of sections and is longitudinally attachable so that a continuous track is produced.

Two such sections are shown at 12 and 14. Each of the track sections 12 and 14 has a slot 16 therein for the guidance of road race cars thereupon. Adjacent each of the slots 16 are electrical conductors. These electrical conductors are substantially flush with the top surface, but are electrically accessible to brushes mounted upon the bottoms of the cars. Conductors 18, 20, 22 and 24 are so positioned on the track sections. Conductors and 24 are respectively electrically connected to terminals 26 and 28 at the edge of track section 12. These terminals are respectively connected by lines 30 and 32 to controllers 34 and 36.

Controllers 34 and 36 are conventional, and usually comprise rheostats for individually adjusting the voltages available at conductors and 24. Controllers 34 and 36 are respectively connected by lines 38 and 40 to rectifier 42 which supplies the appropriate maximum DC voltage. Rectifier 42 is connected to a conventional source of AC power by line 44. In order to make a complete circuit for the electrical current passing through controllers 34 and 36, rectifier 42 is connected by line 46 to terminal 48 on starting device 10. The other terminal 50 thereof is connected by line 52 to terminal 54, at the edge of track section 12, which in turn is connected to both conductors 18 and 22. Thus, a complete circuit is established when starting device 10 has electrical continuity therethrough. When such is the case, controllers 34 and 36 are able to individually control the speed of road race cars traveling along sections 12 and 14.

Referring in more detail to the starting device 10, as is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the starting device is preferably designed so that its case can be injection molded in the form of two relatively simple parts. Base 56 is substantially planar, except for upstanding mounting pins 58 and 60. Base 56 has top surface 62 of specific surface character, as is described hereinafter. Cover 64 is a generally rectangular open bottom structure with a central opening 66. As is seen in FIG. 3, cover 64 has side walls which meet base 56. Similarly, cover 64 has internal mounting posts 68 and 70, each having a hole therein for respective reception of mounting pins 58 and 60. Terminals 48 and 50 have mounting holes therein and are respectively positioned upon pins and 58. Inwardly of the mounting pins, the terminals extend angularly upward to form switch contacts 72 and 74.

Plunger 76 serves as the movable element of the timing and switch portion of the starting device 10. Plunger 76 comprises a manually engageable plunger member 78 which is slidably mounted in central opening 66. Plunger member 78 carries tube 80 which projects downwardly and carries suction cup 82. Movable switch contact 84 is mounted around tube 80 and is held in place by suction cup 82. It has contact ends which are movable, with motion of plunger 76, toward and away from electric contact with switch contacts 72 and 74. The entire suction cup 82 is made of appropriately resilient material. Properly compounded natural rubber, molded and vulcanized, is often used for these structures. Furthermore, there are presently available synthetic polymer composition materials, both in synthetic rubber and injection moldable materials that have the requisite physical properties to act as suction cups. Cup 86 is formed on the lower end of suction cup 82 and is positioned for engagement upon surface 62. The cup shaped character of cup 86 is such that when there is no vacuum in cup 86, the rim of the cup resiliently holds the entire plunger structure 76 in the upward terminal position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this position, movable switch contact 84 is in contact with both switch contacts 72 and 74 so as to provide electrical continuity therebetween. When plunger member 78 is thrust down, it moves cup 86 against surface 62 expelling the major portion of the air from inside cup 86 by distortion thereof. This position is illustrated in FIG. 4.

Depending upon the condition of surface 62 and the nature of suction cup 82, the structure may remain indefinitely in the position illustrated in FIG. 4. However, in this structure, it is desired that the cup 86 release after a period of time. To accomplish this, a limited passage of air into the interior of cup 86 is provided. This may be provided by means of a small hole through the top of cup 86, a small hole through base 56, or may be provided by a surface finish on top surface 62 which is somewhat striated or roughened so as to prevent a perfectly air-tight seal between the lips of cup 86 and the surface 62. The preferred embodiment is a roughened surface, of such roughness character as to permit a controlled leakage of air into the interior of cup 86 so that the cup is released in five to eight seconds. It is clear that the natural resiliency of cup 86 urges the plunger 76 upward, and the farther upward it moves the less area contact there is of the lips of cup 86 upon the surface 62. Therefore, upward movement is not linear but is very slow in the early stages of movement. As plunger 76 moves upward, its upward speed increases until near the end, it virtually pops upward to make electrical contact. However, sufficient distortion of cup 86 remains in the upward position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to cause firm electrical contact.

In operation, the controllers 34 and 36 are turned off, cars are placed on the track, plunger 76 is depressed to open the electrical continuity, the controllers 34 and 36 are individually turned up to a point as desired by the skill of the particular operator, and when starting device 10 times out, plunger 76 rises and makes electrical contact to both of the controllers so that both cars are able to start at the same time. The individual adjustment of controllers 34 and 36 is a matter of individual skill. If too much power is applied to the car when starting, the rear wheels skid and control is lost. If too little power is applied, maximum acceleration from the starting position is not obtained. However, since power is applied to both cars at the same time an accurate and fair start is obtained.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and 6, a further embodiment of the starting device is indicated at 88. The starting device 88 is used in association with road race track 90 which comprises a track section in a. road race course. The road race track 90 has a top surface 92, on which cars are supported and propelled, slots 94 and 96 by which cars are guided and conductor pairs 98 and 106 which are respectively associated with slots 94 and 96. As in conventional practice, the conductors 98 and 100 are connected to separate controllers so that the individuals operating the cars in the road race are able to apply an appropriate amount of electric current to the cars to control their speed.

The starting device 88 is not electrically connected to the conductors 98 and 100 but is arranged in such a manner that a physical barricade is provided across the road race track 90 to prevent cars from proceeding therealong until the barrier is raised. Starting device housing 102 comprises a base 104 having a top surface 106, and a cover 108. Central opening in cover 108 serves as a guide for plunger 112. Plunger 112 extends above cover 108 for manual engagement and extends downwardly toward surface 106. It carries suction cup 114 on its lower end. Suction cup 114 cooperates with surface 106 in the same manner that suction cup 82 cooperates with surface 62. Surface 106 is of the same character as surface 62. Thus, when plunger 112 is pressed downwardly, the suction cup 114 holds it in position until a sufiicient amount of air is permitted to leak into the interior of cup 114 to permit it to move upwardly. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 more stroke is needed on plunger 112 than on the corresponding plunger 76. Thus, tension member 116 is engaged between plunger 112 and the upper part of the housing 102. Thus, when thrust down the plunger 112 remains in a lowered position until sufficient air enters into the interior cup of suction cup 114 to permit the structure to rise. When such occurs and the suction cup 114 pops loose plunger 112 rises to the raised position shown in FIG. 6.

Bar 118 extends out of slot 120 in the side of housing 102 directed toward road race track section 90. Bar 118 is positioned in such a manner that when in the lowered position, shown in dot-dash lines, it obstructs the passage of cars, and when in the upper position, shown in full lines, cars can pass thereunder. The upper terminal position of bar 118 is determined by bar 118 striking the upper end of slot 120 and striking the guide boss which contains central opening 110. Window 112 is provided on the side of the housing 102 away from slot 120. Secured on bar 118, adjacent window 122, is indicator 124. Indicator 124 is appropriately colored so that a green color appears through window 122 when the bar is in the raised position, shown in FIG. 6, and a red color is shown when the bar is in the lowered position.

In use of the starting device 88, the electrical controllers supplying electric power to conductors 98 and 100 are turned off. The cars are placed on the track adjacent bar 118 and the plunger 112 is depressed by manual actuation. When depressed, the bar 118 is sufiiciently low that the road race cars cannot proceed along track 90. As the suction cup 114 has air leakage into the cup, the plunger 112 rises very slowly a short distance until it is sufiiciently free that tension member 116 can raise plunger 112 and bar 118. They spring upwardly so that the cars can proceed along the track underneath bar 118. At that point, the operators apply power to the cars by their controllers and proceed with the race. Thus, the timing function of suction cup 114 on surface 106 provides a starting signal.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the starting device is generally indicated at 126. The starting device 126 combines the features of the starting devices and 88 comprising the earlier embodiments. The starting device 126 has both electrical and mechanical means for preventing the progress of a road race car until the starting device times out. As is seen in FIG. 6, starting device 126 is positioned in association with road race track 128. Road race track 128 has a top surface 130 for the support of toy road race cars thereon. Slots 132 and 134 are recessed below top surface 130 for the guidance of the road race cars along the track 128. Similarly to the earlier described track sections, track 128 has electric conductors 136, 138, 140 and 142 recessed in the top surface so as to be accessible to brushes on the lower side of the road race cars. By this means, electric power is transferred into each road race car. Power supply 144 has lines 146 and 148 which are connected to individually operable manual speed controllers, such as controllers 34 and 36. These controllers are in turn connected to lines 150 and 152 which are respectively connected to conductors 136 and 140. Conductors 138 and 142 are connected by line 154 to normally open switch 156. Switch 156 is also connected by line 158 to power supply 144. Thus, when switch 156 is closed, the power to the two cars are separately controlled by separate controllers. However, when switch 156 is open no current can be supplied to the cars and they cannot move.

Starting device 126 comprises a base 160 having a top surface 162. Housing 164 is positioned over base 160 and has a central opening 166. Plunger 168 has a manually engageable top and extends in sliding engagement through central opening 166 toward base 160. Suction cup 170 is positioned on the lower end of plunger 168 and is arranged to cooperate with surface 162. Thus, similarly to the earlier embodiments, the suction cup acts in conjunction with surface 162 as a timer.

Bar 172 is pivoted at 174 and extends through slot 176 in the housing. In the lowered, dot-dash line position, bar 172 is suificiently low to obstruct the passage of vehicles along track section 128. In the raised, full line position, bar 172 is out of the way of cars passing from the track. Bar 172 has a pin and slot connection 178 to plunger 168. Furthermore, bar 172 carries dog 180 which acts in con junction with spring blade 182 to urge bar 172 and plunger 168 to the raised position shown in FIG. 7. When the plunger 168 is depressed, the bar 172 comes down and cup 170 is engaged upon the surface 162. It remains in that position until cup 170 is released from surface 162, whereupon the parts move to the position shown.

Bar 172 carries dog 184 which is positioned adjacent switch 156. In the lowered position of bar 172, switch 156 is opened. In the raised position, dog 184 closes switch 156. Thus, similar to the earlier embodiment, when the bar is down the cars cannot proceed but when the bar is up cars can proceed. In this embodiment, restraint is both electrical and mechanical.

This application having been described in its preferred embodiment, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments within the skill of the routine artisan and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A starting device for toy road race cars which includes:

a road race track for toy road race cars,

electrical conductors for powering a toy road race car upon said track located on said track,

a surface located adjacent to said track,

a plunger movably mounted adjacent to said track so as to be capable of being moved between a position away from said surface and a position adjacent said surface,

a suction cup mounted on said plunger,

said suction cup engaging and being capable of adhering for a limited time interval to said surface when said plunger is moved to said adjacent position,

a bar means movably mounted adjacent to said track so as to be capable of being moved between a lowered position in which said bar means extends across said track and a raised position in which said bar means is elevated with respect to said track so as to permit the movement of a toy race car along said track,

means connecting said plunger and said bar means so that as said plunger is moved to said adjacent position said bar means is located in said lowered position and so that when said plunger is in said away from position said bar means is in said raised position,

circuit means for providing electric power to said conductors connected to said conductors,

said circuit means including a switch mounted adjacent said bar means and said plunger so as to be engaged when said bar means is in said raised position and said plunger is in said away from said position,

said switch means permitting current to flow to said conductors when said bar means is in said raised position and said plunger means is in said away from position.

2. A starting device for said road race cars as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said bar means is pivotly mounted so as to rotate between said lowered and raised positions as said plunger means is moved between said away from and said adjacent positions.

3. A starting device for toy road race cars as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said switch means is engaged by said bar means when said bar means is in said raised position and permits current to be supplied to said conductors when said bar means is in said raised position.

4. A starting device for toy road race cars as claimed in claim 1 including:

spring means for urging said plunger into said away from position and said bar means into said raised position when said suction cup is engaged with said surface,

said spring means moving said plunger means to said away from position and said bar means to said raised position when said suction cup releases from said surface.

5. A starting device for road race cars as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said bar means is pivotly mounted so as to rotate'between said lowered and raised positions as said plunger means is moved between said away from and said adjacent positions,

said switch means is engaged by said bar means when said bar means is in said raised position and permits current to be supplied to said conductors when said bar means is in said raised position and permits current to be supplied to said conductors when said bar means is in said raised position,

and including,

spring means for urging said plunger into said away from position and said bar means into said raised position when said suction cup is engaged with said surface,

said spring means moving said plunger means to said away from position and said bar means to said raised position when said suction cup releases from said surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1930 France. 1/1940 France.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

R. COHRS, Assistant Examiner. 

